The PEA Pod, August 2009
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August 2009 |
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From the Executive Director
As many of you know, I traveled to Sweden this summer to visit my brother. I was so excited to be traveling to one of the most environmentally progressive countries in the world. I visited Copenhagen and London also, two of the greenest cities in the world. I saw evidence of Sweden’s environmental ideals everywhere. The toilets are all dual flush (okay, it sounds like a small thing but think of the thousands of toilets and millions of flushes per day), you never have to search for a recycling bin, and wind turbines dot the rural landscape. Why is it that Sweden can have so many environmental laws and policies but here in the U.S. we cannot mandate higher fuel efficiency standards, institute mandatory recycling, or pass a strong local tree ordinance? Well, I have a theory. Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a constitutional monarchy. Before that, it was just a plain monarchy. So, perhaps, Swedes are used to being told what to do. Thus, they don’t put up too much resistance to environmental rules and regulations. In America, we have this pesky sense of independence. We don’t want anyone telling us what to do, especially not those folks in Washington. Even if we completely agree with what they tell us to do and we would do it regardless, we want the freedom of choice. So, the job of a grassroots environmental activist is that much harder. In the absence of serious environmental regulation, we have to convince our community to CHOOSE to take individual action from internal motivation. That is what PEA is trying to do, through our educational initiatives, through our support of local green businesses, and through the Piedmont Earth Day Fair. I hope you will support this important work though your membership and donations. Terri E. LeGrand Green Drinks and Eco-Travel
Join us Wednesday (7/29) at Krankies Coffee for an evening of socializing and travel exploration. Share your travel stories with us and hear stories from others. At 5:30 p.m. PEA is sponsoring Green Drinks. Socialize and network with local like-minded environmentalists. Whether you are a die-hard or new to the eco-scene, you will enjoy meeting an interesting group of people. Bring a friend. Appetizers compliments of PEA and provided by Camino Bakery. Then at 7 p.m., PEA will host a quarterly Environmental Exchange on Eco-Travel. There will be a presentation and slide show. We will also raffle off a free night stay at Proximity Hotel. Many thanks to Krankies Coffee for hosting this event and donating a % of all drink sales to PEA. More information. Local Sustainable Farmers' Market a Success
If you haven't yet been to the new Local Farmer's Market at Krankies Coffee on Tuesdays from 11am-1pm, today (7/28) is a good day to try it. The Triad Buying Co-op will be selling Homeland Creamery Ice Cream scoops for 25 cents! Come sample this fabulous local ice cream, as well as the many other locally and sustainably grown/raised products, such as okra, cukes, green beans, potatoes, malabar spinach, cantaloupes, watermelon, swiss chard, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, corn, eggs, goat cheese, bread, pasture-fed meat and more. Unlike other local farmers' markets, everything offered is grown/raised right here in the Piedmont region of NC using no sprays and using sustainable agricultural methods. Animals are raised humanely without the use of growth hormones. Check it out. Volunteers Needed for Exciting New Initiative
PEA is partnering with Blessings Project Foundation and other community organizations to offer workshops and a comprehensive free publication on weatherization. According to the City of Winston-Salem, 60% of our local green house gas emissions come from the power plants which generate our electricity. Weatherizing our homes reduces electricity usage, saves us money on our electricity bills, and lowers green house gas emissions into our local atmosphere. Our goals for this initiative are to: 1) educate local citizens about the benefits of weatherization; 2) inform them about costs, funding opportunities, and tax incentives; 3) direct them to local vendors who can perform the work; and 4) motivate them to take action. Please join this important effort. PEA is seeking volunteers to serve on our Fall Initiative Committee. Accountants and legal professionals are needed, as are volunteers to help organize the workshops and publicize the events. Send inquiries to info@peaNC.org. Optimist Club Launches Environmental Youth Program
Recently launched C.U.T.E. Kids hopes to inspire kids, their parents, and community leaders to Clean Up The Earth (C.U.T.E.) and provides a place for kids to show others what they have done to help the environment. C.U.T.E. Kids encourages parents, grandparents, guardians, youth leaders, scout masters, teachers, coaches, etc. to lead a group of kids in environmental projects, large or small. Whether it's picking up trash at a local park or planting trees or flowers, kids can learn to be good Citizens Upon The Earth (C.U.T.E.). They are CUTE Kids. C.U.T.E. Kids is a project of the Winston-Salem, NC Optimist Club. Monetary prizes are awarded monthly for the best environmental project submitted. Visit their website. Suggested C.U.T.E. Kids projects: Wake Forest Hires Sustainability Director
Piedmont Environmental Alliance extends a warm welcome to Dedee Johnston, the new Director of Sustainability at Wake Forest University. We are excited that Dedee will be leading Wake Forest’s efforts to become more sustainable, and we are thrilled to have such an accomplished sustainability leader in our community. (Read more about Dedee here.) Dedee has hit the ground running with publication of a survey meant to gauge attitudes about sustainability at Wake Forest and about attitudes toward sustainability in general. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. If you are not a Wake Student, Staff Member or Alumnus, type in "Community Member" under "other" for the first question. Join the 2010 Earth Day Fair Organizing Team
Did you attend and enjoy the 2009 Earth Day Fair? If so, be part of the team that will plan our 5th annual Fair. Plan to attend our first meeting on September 16, 2009, at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem. Specific job opportunities will be discussed at the meeting. We have jobs big and small. You should know before attending, though, that working on the EDF is fun, exciting, and immensely rewarding. Once you sign on, you may never want to quit. Newcomers are MOST welcome! The team meets once a month through next April. Please RSVP to info@peaNC.org. Not a Member Yet? Join Today!Please join and become part of the solution for a sustainable future. To become a member, you may join on-line or download the membership form from our website and mail it to us. PEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported solely by membership dues and donations. |
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